The operation you are describing is normal. The alternator needs to reved slightly to start the charging process, (kicking in they call it.) This is more pronounced in the campers due to the refrigerator relay loading down the field circuit. When warm, you are not seeing this as the after start idle along with a slightly higher battery voltage is high enough to kick in the alternator without your assistance.

Dennis

----- Original Message -----
From: ScotiaWesty <ScotiaWesty@ADELPHIA.NET>
Date: Saturday, November 5, 2005 10:48 am
Subject: alt light stays on after a cold start

> All:
>
> Thank you for the suggestions regarding the rapid depletion of the new
> battery in the van.  I am in the middle of trouble shooting it and
> in the
> meantime I put my trickle charger on it.  Surprisingly, I found
> the +ve
> connection at the post had slacked off quite a bit, so I tightened
> it right
> up - that's not good for starting.
>
> So, along this line of thought I'd like to describe something else
> going on
> with the van that may be related to the battery prob.  When I
> start the van
> cold, the battery light (alt. light) comes on with ignition and
> stays on
> after start.  It stays on until I goose the gas pedal a bit.  Then
> it goes
> out.  I drive off, the van warms up and every start thereafter the
> alt light
> pops off as soon as the engine starts.  This has been going on for
> about two
> years and has not caused me any grief (or has it....).  I have
> thought all
> along that it was a sticky electrical relay.  Now I think
> differently - I'm
> thinking sticky alternator or something.  Thoughts?
>
> Dan
>
> 1986 Westy
>
> Just past 80 000km (50 000 m) this summer.
>